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Minimum academic requirements
The University of New Hampshire takes a holistic approach in reviewing your application for admission. While your academic record is the most important piece of information, our team will review your whole application for relevant context to help us learn more about who you are and how you will contribute to Wildcat Country. These requirements apply whether you're applying to our Durham or Manchester campus, an online program, graduate study or law school.
Looking for graduate admission requirements? These vary by program — review the program of study you're interested in for specific requirements, or visit Graduate Admissions for steps on how to apply.
First-year undergraduate applications
Applies to first-year applicants to Durham and Manchester.
The most successful applicants exceed the minimum entrance requirements with college prep level high school coursework. Some majors have additional requirements — see below.
At a minimum* candidates for all majors at UNH are expected to have met the following requirements prior to enrollment:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics (including Algebra I & II and Geometry or equivalents)
- 2 years of laboratory sciences (3 years preferred)
- 2 years of history or social science
- 2 years of a single world language is preferred
- 2 additional full-year college preparatory courses within the subject areas listed above
Requirements for Associate Degree Programs and 2+2 Pathway Options
Applied Animal Science
- Overall GPA of C+ or higher
- College Preparatory Biology with laboratory coursework required
Veterinary Technology
- Overall GPA of B or higher
- 3 years of college preparatory science - College Preparatory Chemistry and Biology with laboratory coursework required ( grade of B or higher in Chemistry)
Language requirement is optional for 2-year associate degree programs.
2+2 Pathway Options to 4 year Degree Programs
- Both Applied Animal Science and Veterinary Technology are two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs that continue directly into the Bachelor of Science in Animal Science
Requirements for Biological/Physical Sciences & Forestry
- 4 years of mathematics
- 4 years of science, including chemistry and/or physics laboratory coursework
Note: it is expected that students be enrolled in math and science courses in their senior year
Requirements for Business Programs
- 4 years of mathematics (eg: trigonometry, finite, pre-calculus, statistics)
Note: it is expected that students be enrolled in an upper-level math course (trigonometry, finite, pre-calculus, or statistics) in their senior year
Requirements for Engineering & Mathematics
- 4 years of mathematics, including pre-calculus
- 4 years of science, including chemistry and/or physics laboratory coursework
Note: it is expected that students be enrolled in math and science courses in their senior year
Requirements for Health-Related Disciplines
- Biology or chemistry laboratory coursework recommended
Requirements for Nursing Program
Chemistry and biology or physics
Additional requirements for international applicants
international first-year applicants meet the same requirements listed above, plus English language proficiency documentation and credential evaluation for coursework completed outside the U.S.
Requirements for military and veterans
Military and veteran applicants apply through the standard first-year or transfer process based on their academic background.
Undergraduate transfer applications
College of Liberal Arts (COLA)
Most Admitted COLA students will have a 2.80+ Cumulative College GPA and achievement in core academic areas.
UNH students that are completing a B.A. degree at UNH, must complete the World Language Requirement.
COLA Undeclared:
Note some applicants may be admitted to COLA Undeclared if they are missing admission requirements for other restricted majors at UNH. Once met, these students may apply for an internal transfer where possible back to their desired major. Time to degree completion may be extended for students with a higher credit count or missing critical coursework for the intended major.
College of Health and Human Services (CHHS)
The College GPA admission requirements and specific course requirements will vary by major. Please note that the transfer application review is of the Cumulative GPA listed on your most recent college transcript. Further details are listed below.
Meeting these criteria does not guarantee admission to the major due to program capacity limitations.
Credit Standing: Many CHHS majors may only be open to first-year or first-semester sophomores.
Major-Specific Requirements:
- Communication Sciences & Disorders – 3.0 GPA; Human Anatomy & Physiology I (C or better)
- Exercise Science – 3.2 GPA; Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II before sophomore year (C or better)
- Health Sciences – 3.2 GPA; Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II before sophomore year (C or better)
- Health Management & Policy – 3.0 GPA
- Health & Physical Activity Promotion – 2.8 GPA; only open to transfers with sophomore or higher credit standing
- Human Development & Family Studies – Family & Lifespan Development: 2.8 GPA; Child Development: 3.0 GPA
- Nursing – Fall 2026 criteria only (note criteria are subject to change) 3.7 GPA; Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II before sophomore year (C or better). Due to the competitive nature of the Nursing program, all application materials for a fall start (including submitted application and all required supported documents) must be received by Monday, February 16 to be considered for admission to the major. Students admitted to Nursing must submit their enrollment deposit by Monday, February 23 to secure their place in the program.
- Due to the competitive nature of the Nursing Program, this major has now reached capacity and is closed for fall 2026. Please check back in August for more Admissions information on this program for Spring and Fall 2027.
- Occupational Therapy – 3.2 GPA; Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II before sophomore year (C or better)
- Public Health – 3.0 GPA
- Recreation Management & Policy – 2.8 GPA
- Social Work – 2.8 GPA
- Sport Management & Leadership – 3.0 GPA
- Undeclared CHHS – 3.0 GPA
College of Life Sciences & Agriculture (COLSA)
Recommended Cumulative College GPA: 3.0+
Preparation: Strong math/science background expected
- Special Programs:
- TSAS 2+2 Transfers – Must successfully complete TSAS associate degree
- Undeclared Limits:
- Undeclared COLSA closed to students with 40+ college credits.
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences (CEPS)
Recommended Cumulative College GPA: 3.0+
Coursework:
- Required for all CEPS majors: Calculus I (equivalent to UNH MATH 425) with C or better.
Additional prerequisites:
- Computer Science/Information Technology – C or better in programming (Java, C++, Python), or Physics (Calculus-based), or Chemistry I.
- Engineering majors – C or better in Calculus-based Physics I (preferred); Chemistry I may substitute. Calculus II required for Mechanical Engineering.
- Chemistry – C or better in Chemistry I or Calculus-based Physics I.
- Physics – C or better in Calculus-based Physics I or Chemistry I.
- BA Earth Science – 2.80+ Cumulative College GPA; Pre-Calculus (B- or better) + one science.
Undeclared Limits:
- CEPS Undeclared closed to students with 57+ transfer credits.
Other Notes:
- If lacking Calculus/Science foundational courses at entry to UNH, some students may require 4 years to graduate from CEPS.
Paul College of Business & Economics (PAUL)
Recommended Cumulative College GPA: 3.0
Coursework:
- Successful completion of Micro or Macro Economics
- Successful completion of Finite Math or Calculus (College Level Pre-Calculus can be used to gain admissions, however students will still need to complete UNH's business quantitative reasoning course as a requirement for the major curriculum)
- Other Notes:
- Students may apply directly into Paul College options/majors at UNH.
Competitive Majors
Effective January 2026, transfer students will be eligible to apply for the following competitive majors. Additional details regarding the minimum requirements will be shared soon.
International students
international transfer applicants meet the same requirements listed above, plus English language proficiency documentation and credential evaluation for coursework completed outside the U.S.
Military & veterans
Military and veteran applicants apply through the standard first-year or transfer process based on their academic background.
UNH Online admissions requirements
UNH Online, through the College of Professional Studies, has its own admission criteria — separate from Durham and Manchester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can begin most terms.
Undergraduate programs
A high school diploma, homeschool equivalent, or GED is required for admission.
Transfer credit
Previous college coursework is evaluated individually. A minimum grade of C- is required for a course to transfer. Official transcripts are required for each college attended. Military service members and veterans can request military training transcripts (Joint Services Transcript or Community College of the Air Force transcripts) to be evaluated for credit.
Graduate programs
A bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA average in the last 60 credit hours, or a completed graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA minimum overall. Official transcripts are required for all previous college work; transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. must be translated and evaluated before full acceptance.
Graduate school admissions requirements
Applies to graduate programs across Durham, Manchester and online.
Admission requirements for UNH's graduate programs vary by department. There's no single university-wide GPA or test score minimum — instead, each program sets its own criteria. Before you apply, visit Programs of Study to review the specific requirements for your program.
Test Scores
Many UNH graduate programs require applicants to submit GRE, GMAT, PRAXIS, or other examination scores. For a list of programs and all test score requirements, visit our Programs of Study page. International students are required to submit TOEFL scores. Applicants required to submit test scores may find additional information, available exam dates, and registration details by visiting the official website (listed in the left menu).
- GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL: Use the UNH Graduate School CEEB code 003918 (or 3918) to have your score(s) sent directly to the Graduate School.
- GRE and GMAT test scores are good for 5 years
- TOEFL (and related tests) are good for 2 years
- Basic Academic Skills Assessment: BASA exam scores are required of all applicants to master's level (M.ED. and M.A.T.) programs leading to an initial teaching license. Teacher Education programs include the Elementary Education and Secondary Education programs in all content areas (Visual Arts, English Language Arts, Life Science, etc.). Applicants must obtain, at a minimum, a qualifying score (as set by the state of New Hampshire at the time of testing) on all three (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) tests to be considered for admission. There are a few ways to meet this requirement. For additional information on the options available, including the registration information for the specific subtests, view the Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) Information & Resources webpage.
Test Score Waivers
Some departments allow waivers of their test score requirements. In those cases, applicants may request a waiver of test scores based on previous course work, a previous graduate degree in related area, work experience, or special circumstances where test scores may not reflect your actual comprehension. If you would like to request a test score waiver of the GRE/GMAT, please complete the GRE/GMAT Test Score Waiver Form or any English Proficiency Test, please complete the English Proficiency Test Score Waiver Form and upload it to the application when applying for a program.
Once a request is received, the Graduate School will forward it to the appropriate department. All waiver requests require the approval of both the department and the Graduate School. When a decision is reached regarding the waiver request, the applicant's admissions record and checklist will be updated and can be viewed online by the applicant.
English Language Proficiency
International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency as part of their application. Visit the international student application webpage for more details on the requirements to apply as an international student.
Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program
You must hold a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an appropriately accredited college or university, conferred prior to matriculation.
All first-year applicants must submit either a valid LSAT or GRE score, taken within five years of your planned enrollment date, unless you qualify for the Wildcat Scholars admission pathway (see below).
Applicants must disclose character and fitness information as part of the application, with a continuing duty to disclose through matriculation.
Wildcat Scholars Pathway
UNH undergraduate students who will matriculate at UNH Franklin Pierce within 12 months of graduation may be considered for admission without an LSAT score if they have an ACT or SAT score in the 85th percentile or higher and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
LL.M. and Master's/Graduate Certificate Programs
LL.M. applicants must hold a completed J.D., LL.B, or recognized equivalent first professional law degree. Master's and Graduate Certificate applicants do not need a law degree — these programs welcome applicants from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. No LSAT, GRE, or GMAT score is required for either program.
International applicants
International applicants meet the same requirements as their program, plus English language proficiency documentation.
English language proficiency: Required if your native language is not English. Accepted scores:
- TOEFL: 550 (paper), 80 (iBT)
- IELTS: 6.5
You may be exempt if you earned your undergraduate degree from a college or university where English was the language of instruction.
Foreign-trained lawyers who hold a law degree from outside the United States may also be eligible for advanced standing in the J.D. program.